Indulge in the best local foods in Istanbul, from simit to baklava and wet burgers. Here’s what to eat in Istanbul for an authentic experience!
I had been dreaming of visiting Istanbul for over five years, and in April 2024 (and May 2025), that dream finally came true. One thing I was most excited about was experiencing the incredible Istanbul food culture. Istanbul is famous for its traditional Turkish cuisine and some of the best street food you’ll find anywhere.
As huge fans of Turkish food, we often choose it when dining out, so we couldn’t wait to explore the authentic flavors right from the source.
In this blog post, I won’t be recommending expensive restaurants or the best restaurants in Istanbul with stunning views. Instead, I’m sharing the must-try foods in Istanbul that are affordable and give you a true taste of local life. So, if you’re wondering what to eat in Istanbul, here are 15 of the best foods you simply can’t miss for an authentic Turkish experience.
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Best Turkish Food In Istanbul
1. BalikDürüm
I had to put this at the top of the ‘What to Eat in Istanbul’ list because, even a year later, we’re still dreaming about the Balık Dürüm we had. A Balık Dürüm is a popular fish wrap in Istanbul, and the city is also known for its Balık Ekmek, a fish sandwich. We tried both, but the wrap was far superior as it allowed us to savor the flavours fully.
However, it’s essential to visit specific stalls rather than eating at a restaurant, as the experience is completely different and they taste very different as well. The one we had near the Spice Bazaar was hands down the tastiest fish wrap ever! We’re literally dying to go back to Istanbul just for this wrap.
2. Köfte Ekmek with Ayran
This combo of a meat sandwich and Ayran is a must-try in Istanbul. Whether you choose a sandwich or a wrap, pairing it with Ayran is essential. It’s a classic and elite combination in Istanbul’s food scene.
With countless meat sandwich and döner kebab spots across the city, Ayran is often included as part of a meal deal. We tried a meat sandwich in the Sultanahmet area called ‘Sultanahmet Koftecisi’, where the long queue was a testament to how delicious their meat is. I opted for the “Ekmek,” which is the sandwich version. The meat was incredibly flavorful, though the sandwich itself, with just meat and a bit of salad, felt slightly dry. However, when paired with Ayran, it was absolutely amazing.
3. San Sebastian Cheesecake
You cannot go to Istanbul and not try their San Sebastian cheesecake. When this dessert was introduced in the UK, I completely refused to try it because I told myself I would only experience it in Istanbul. I waited a few years, and I’m so glad I did because when I finally tried the San Sebastian cheesecake in Istanbul, nothing back in the UK could compare.
The best place to enjoy this heavenly dessert is at Viyana Kahvesi, located right outside the iconic Galata Tower. The area has immaculate vibes, making it the perfect spot to indulge in a dessert that tastes beyond this world!
4. Simit
There is no way you can be in Istanbul and not try their Simit. It’s the perfect snack to enjoy between meals, and you’ll find countless carts selling them all over the city. Just keep in mind that prices can vary depending on the location.
We tried Simit with both Nutella and cream cheese, and honestly, I still can’t decide which I preferred—they were both delicious! It really depends on what mood you’re in.
Other Istanbul Posts You’ll Find Helpful:
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- 6-Day Istanbul Itinerary
- 10 Free Things To Do In Istanbul
5. Baklava
Baklava is the most famous Turkish dessert and one of the best. Hafiz Mustafa serves the tastiest treats, from baklava to milk cakes, which are absolutely delicious. It’s a bit pricey but definitely worth the visit!
We tried the chocolate baklava with ice cream in the middle, but honestly, we regretted it because we should have gone for the original. We also tasted their pistachio milk cake, which was incredible. We really regret not taking a box of their famous baklava home with us. If you’re there, I highly recommend grabbing some!
6. Wet Burgers
Wet burgers went viral before we visited Istanbul and became a famous street food in Istanbul, so we couldn’t resist adding them to our list of must-try foods! We got them from the famous spot called Kizilkayalar, located at the start of Taksim Square, and oh my God, it was incredible!
We’ve never had anything like it before, and it definitely lived up to the hype. You could easily devour 4-5 in one go!
7. Sharwarma Wrap
While we were at Kizilkayalar, we decided to grab a sharwarma wrap as well, knowing the wet burgers wouldn’t be quite enough. The mixed shawarma wrap was absolutely delicious—no sauce inside, just the rich flavors of the perfectly cooked meat and fresh tomatoes. The only thing I regret is not ordering an Ayran to go with it!
8. Kumpir
Kumpir is one of Istanbul’s most popular street foods — a big baked potato mixed with butter and cheese, then packed with all the toppings you like. One of the best places to try it is in Ortaköy. While you’re there visiting the beautiful Ortaköy Mosque, you’ll find a whole row of kumpir stalls nearby.
It’s definitely a unique experience, as all the sellers try to persuade you to buy from their stall, which can be a bit hectic! The mix of flavours is wild — you can get everything from olives to sausages to pickles all in one potato. It’s definitely delicious and worth trying, whether you’re sharing it as a snack or grabbing a quick bite.
9. Borek
Börek is a traditional Turkish pastry made with thin layers of dough and filled with things like cheese, minced meat, spinach, or potatoes. It’s usually baked or sometimes fried, and you can find it all over Istanbul.
One popular spot to try it is Tarihi Çemberlitaş Börekçisi in the Fatih area — this place is well known for serving lots of different types of börek. We stopped by for a quick snack and tried the cheese-filled one, which was really tasty. Börek is also often eaten for breakfast as part of a traditional Turkish breakfast, but it’s great any time of day. This spot is a good place to experience a classic Turkish dish in a simple, local setting.
10. Durumcu Eniste For Traditional Turkish Food
Durumcu Enişte in Ortaköy is a newer spot that serves delicious traditional Turkish food like bulgur, kebabs, döner, wraps, and more. The food here was honestly amazing — the meats were so juicy and full of flavour. It’s definitely a place I’d go back to again. So if you’re in Ortaköy and looking for somewhere to eat lunch or dinner, this is a great place to stop by and enjoy a tasty, local meal.
11. Beyoğlu Halk Doner
Beyoğlu Halk Döner is a buffet-style spot located just off Istiklal Street in Taksim — a busy area full of food choices. This place stood out with its wide variety of options, from lamb and chicken to rice, pasta, sides, and even desserts. The food was absolutely delicious — so good that we ended up having dinner there twice! We tried the lamb with rice, a fresh salad on the side, and finished with Sütlaç, a traditional Turkish rice pudding.
Prices depend on what you choose, but it’s super affordable compared to many other places nearby. If you’re in the area and want a tasty, budget-friendly Turkish meal, this spot is a must-try!
All locations are listed in the image below:
12. Faruk Güllüoğlu – The Best Cold Baklava Ever
I honestly don’t think I can do this place enough justice. On our first trip to Istanbul, we visited Hafiz Mustafa, which is super popular and definitely a must-visit spot for sweets. But if you’re looking for really good baklava — like, the best you’ve ever had — Faruk Güllüoğlu is a MUST.
We didn’t just have the regular baklava (which I’ve heard is amazing too), but we went for the cold baklava, especially the chocolate one — and wow. Not to exaggerate, but it was seriously out of this world. I’m drooling just thinking about it again!
They have branches all over the city, but if you’re in Taksim exploring Istiklal Street, there’s one right at the beginning of the street, right next to Hafiz Mustafa. If you’re a dessert lover, do yourself a favour and try it — you won’t regret it.
13. Karim Döner In Uskudar
Karim Döner is a newer spot that opened on the Asian side of Istanbul, in the lovely area of Çengelköy. Last year, we couldn’t decide where to eat in Üsküdar, but this year we went with a recommendation — and we’re so glad we did!
As the name suggests, they serve döner, and you can get it in different ways: wrapped in bread, served with rice and flatbread (which we had), or even in a burger — which our 4-year-old had and absolutely loved. Everything we tried was really delicious.
If you’re exploring the Üsküdar side and don’t have a food stop planned, this place is definitely worth adding to your list!
14. Şehzade Cağ Kebap – Fresh, Juicy Kebab in Sultanahmet
Şehzade Cağ Kebap is another great food spot in Istanbul, and honestly, it was the only place we had kebab where the meat tasted so fresh and delicious. The flavour and quality were amazing — so juicy and perfectly cooked. I posted a video of our visit on my Instagram and TikTok and loads of people commented saying the same thing!
The only thing to keep in mind is that it’s a little overpriced for what you get. The portion includes two skewers, and for the price, it really feels like they should give three or four. It was tasty and slightly filling, but a bit small — and many people agreed in the comments.
That said, if you’re in the Sultanahmet area and want a quick lunch or dinner with really good meat, this place is definitely worth trying!
15. Espresso Lab
I can’t believe I missed this very popular cafe spot the first time we visited Istanbul! You’ll find it everywhere, and it quickly became one of my favourites. Their iced Spanish latte was hands down the best I’ve ever had — I was literally having one every single day while we were there!
It’s always busy, and for good reason — the coffee is really that good. They also have a bakery section with pastries and desserts that looked amazing (we didn’t try them, but I definitely regret not doing so!).
I seriously wish we had Espresso Lab here in the UK — it’s one of those spots you’ll want to keep going back to, whether for a coffee break or a quick treat.
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Don’t forget to save this pin on Pinterest to come back to later!
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